SAFETY

Accidentally contacting a power line can be dangerous and in some cases, even deadly. Your Touchstone Energy cooperative wants to help our members stay safe around power lines.

Keep a safe distance

Whether you are playing outdoors with your children or working on landscaping projects, keep a safe distance from power lines and other equipment your co-op uses to get electricity to your home.

Always remember to:

Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers and electrical boxes. Always assume a downed power line is live and life-threatening. Stay in the area to alert others, and call either 911 or EMEPA at (601) 581-8600 to report the danger.
Don’t touch anything that is touching a power line, such as a fence, tree limb or ladder.
Do not play around power lines or climb trees near them. Never fly kites, drones or model planes near electrical wires.
Stay away from substations and power lines, and keep children away.
Call 811 before you dig to locate underground lines.

Never touch or go near a downed power line.
Don’t touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car.
Keep children and pets away.
Remember the 10-foot rule when climbing a ladder. Always maintain a 10-foot distance from power lines.

If a power line falls on a car, you should stay inside the vehicle. This is the safest place to stay. Warn people not to touch the car or the line. Call or ask someone to call the local cooperative and emergency services.

The only circumstance in which you should consider leaving a car that is in contact with a downed power line is if the vehicle catches on fire. Open the door. Do not step out of the car. You may receive a shock. Instead, jump free of the car so that your body clears the vehicle before touching the ground. Once you clear the car, shuffle at least 50 feet away, with both feet on the ground.

As in all power line related emergencies, call for help immediately by dialing 911 or call your electric utility company's Service Center/Dispatch Office.

Do not try to help someone else from the car while you are standing on the ground.

Preventing Electrocutions Associated with Portable Generators Plugged Into Household Circuits

When power lines are down, residents can restore energy to their homes or other structures by using another power source such as a portable generator. If water has been present anywhere near electrical circuits and electrical equipment, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel. Do not turn the power back on until electrical equipment has been inspected by a qualified electrician.

If it is necessary to use a portable generator, manufacturer recommendations and specifications must be strictly followed. If there are any questions regarding the operation or installation of the portable generator, a qualified electrician should be immediately contacted to assist in installation and start-up activities. The generator should always be positioned outside the structure.

When using gasoline- and diesel-powered portable generators to supply power to a building, switch the main breaker or fuse on the service panel to the "off" position prior to starting the generator. This will prevent power lines from being inadvertently energized by backfeed electrical energy from the generators, and help protect utility line workers or other repair workers or people in neighboring buildings from possible electrocution. If the generator is plugged into a household circuit without turning the main breaker to the “off” position or removing the main fuse, the electrical current could reverse, go back through the circuit to the outside power grid, and energize power lines or electrical systems in other buildings to at or near their original voltage without the knowledge of utility or other workers.

Effects of Backfeed

The problem of backfeed in electrical energy is a potential risk for electrical energy workers. Electrocutions are the fifth leading cause of all reported occupational deaths. Following the safety guidelines below can reduce this risk.

Other Generator Hazards

Generator use is also a major cause of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Generators should only be used in well ventilated areas.

Generator Safety

Use portable generators outside to avoid dangerous exhaust fumes.
Generators must be connected to your home through a transfer switch. Transfer switches should be installed by a qualified electrician in compliance with all local and national codes.
Be sure the generator you have selected has ample capacity to supply the lighting, appliances, and equipment you plan to connect. Consult an electrician for assistance if needed.
Purchase your portable electric generator from an established dealer who can provide service and maintenance if needed.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions thoroughly.
Do not operate your generator while standing in wet conditions. This could cause an electrical shock to anyone who comes in contact.
For personal safety, make sure your generator is grounded so it does not become electrically charged.
Only connect appliances directly to a portable generator. Do not connect the generator directly to the wiring system in your home or other building through outlets or your meter. This may damage your wiring system or back feed electricity, endangering utility workers restoring your line.
Do not attempt to fill the generator’s fuel tank while it is operating, as the gasoline may ignite.
Do not tamper with the engine speed adjustment. This could overheat the generator and cause a fire.
Have a charged fire extinguisher nearby as a precaution.

Never put fingers or any objects in electrical outlets. Cover outlets to keep children safe.
Keep electrical appliances away from water to prevent electrocution.
Turn off appliances before unplugging them. Pull the plug – not the cord – when unplugging appliances.
Never tamper with your electric meter. Not only is it unsafe, it’s illegal.
Use extension cords only temporarily and never use them for space heaters or air conditioners.
Dispose of old or frayed extension cords.
Never use water to put out an electrical fire. Use the appropriate fire extinguisher.
Use light bulbs that are the proper wattage for the fixture. Improper-wattage bulbs can cause an electrical fire.
Install ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets in bathrooms and kitchens. They monitor electric current and trip the circuit, cutting off electricity if there is an imbalance of current.
Contact a licensed electrician for electrical work in your home.

Keep a safe distance

Always remember to:

Stay away from power lines, meters, transformers and electrical boxes. Always assume a downed power line is live and life-threatening. Stay in the area to alert others, and call either 911 or EMEPA at (601) 581-8600 to report the danger.

Don’t touch anything that is touching a power line, such as a fence, tree limb or ladder.

Do not play around power lines or climb trees near them. Never fly kites, drones or model planes near electrical wires.

Stay away from substations and power lines, and keep children away.

Call 811 before you dig to locate underground lines.

Never touch or go near a downed power line.

Don’t touch anything that may be touching a downed wire, such as a car.

Keep children and pets away.

Remember the 10-foot rule when climbing a ladder. Always maintain a 10-foot distance from power lines.

Use portable generators outside to avoid dangerous exhaust fumes.

Generators must be connected to your home through a transfer switch. Transfer switches should be installed by a qualified electrician in compliance with all local and national codes.

Be sure the generator you have selected has ample capacity to supply the lighting, appliances, and equipment you plan to connect. Consult an electrician for assistance if needed.

Purchase your portable electric generator from an established dealer who can provide service and maintenance if needed.

Read the manufacturer’s instructions thoroughly.

Do not operate your generator while standing in wet conditions. This could cause an electrical shock to anyone who comes in contact.

For personal safety, make sure your generator is grounded so it does not become electrically charged.

Only connect appliances directly to a portable generator. Do not connect the generator directly to the wiring system in your home or other building through outlets or your meter. This may damage your wiring system or back feed electricity, endangering utility workers restoring your line.

Do not attempt to fill the generator’s fuel tank while it is operating, as the gasoline may ignite.

Do not tamper with the engine speed adjustment. This could overheat the generator and cause a fire.

Have a charged fire extinguisher nearby as a precaution.

Never put fingers or any objects in electrical outlets. Cover outlets to keep children safe.

Keep electrical appliances away from water to prevent electrocution.

Turn off appliances before unplugging them. Pull the plug – not the cord – when unplugging appliances.

Never tamper with your electric meter. Not only is it unsafe, it’s illegal.

Use extension cords only temporarily and never use them for space heaters or air conditioners.

Dispose of old or frayed extension cords.

Never use water to put out an electrical fire. Use the appropriate fire extinguisher.

Use light bulbs that are the proper wattage for the fixture. Improper-wattage bulbs can cause an electrical fire.

Install ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets in bathrooms and kitchens. They monitor electric current and trip the circuit, cutting off electricity if there is an imbalance of current.

Contact a licensed electrician for electrical work in your home.